Happy Halloween!
Before I get to part 1 of the giveaway, I want to share a last-minute Halloween idea.
I present to you: Spooky Shakes…
They are more homely than scary, but let’s just go with it!
I spotted this on Martha and I thought it was a cute idea. To make: all you do is melt a tiny amount of chocolate (about 1-2 tbsp) and then paint chocolate ghost faces on the inside of the glass using the end of a popsicle stick. Easy.
Place the glasses in the freezer or fridge to set the chocolate. For the shake, I blended vegan vanilla ice cream (I love almond or coconut varieties), with a splash of almond milk and some ice, served with a cinnamon stick. You could even make a healthier shake by blending frozen bananas with almond milk. The chocolate faces stay intact thanks to the cold smoothies.
Now, for part 1 of the giveaway…
Today, I’m celebrating YOU – the kick-butt, Green Monster chuggin, recipe-lovin’ Oh She Glows community! On October 31, 2008, I started the blog on a complete whim, not thinking I would ever have the attention span to stick with it, but here I am 4 years later still smashing my head against the keyboard daily and chasing my dreams. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who read the blog each day and my hope is that you find as much inspiration here as I’ve found in all of you.
Now, to celebrate!
1) Blendtec Total Blender & Twister Jar
Blendtec has been gracious enough to donate one of their coveted Total Blender Classic Wildside machines (picture above) valued at $454.95 USD! Whoa baby. I’ve reviewed the Blendtec before on the blog and I can attest that it’s a great machine.
About the blender: “Total Blender Classic Series® is the all-in-one appliance that makes smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, and more! It replaces up to 9 other appliances with one fast easy-to-use machine, at a fraction of the cost. This package includes the new precision tuned 4″ blade in the large nearly 3-quart total capacity BPA-free jar. The new large blade / large jar combination powers through tougher blending tasks and larger recipes with ease, and in less time.”
In addition to the blender, they are also giving away a Twister Jar (shown below) valued at $119.00 USD!
About the Twister Jar: “Blendtec’s newest innovation, the Twister Jar, is designed to blend your thickest recipes such as: Nut Butters, Hummus, Baby Food, Dips, Thick Shakes, Dressings and more! Best of all, it’s compatible with all Blendtec Home Blenders.”
Update: The giveaway winner is….
Thank you for sharing your touching (and often hilarious!) “lessons to my younger self” comments. If you are ever feeling down and need a pick me up, just read through the comments. It’s amazing to see how many of us have struggled with the same life lessons.
The lucky winner of the Blendtec machine is #3659 – Alicia Woulfe! Congrats! I will email you shortly to collect your mailing address. Thanks to everyone for participating!
How To Enter:
Giveway is now closed.
I re-tweeted about the giveaway!
I just Tweeted!
Advice I would give to my younger self
It’s all a matter of perception. Yes being told people didn’t want to be friends with you because you aren’t cool is a tough blow but that is their insecurity with being seen as unique and different. You on the other hand know how valuable this is. So when people appear to not want to like you or be nice remember that is their own issue not yours. You are wonderful, unique, beautiful and way cooler than anyone really knows.
I tweeted it!
And have a recipe on pinterest!
I would tell my younger self not to be so critical of myself! I have since realized that no one cares how much you weigh, what you dress like, who you’re friends with, etc. and that the only opinion that matters is my own! If I had known this (and had listened), I would’ve been much more happy.
Dear younger self don’t take everything so seriously and your failures do not define you, they’re beautiful opportunities to GROW!
What a wonderful giveaway Angela! I have always wanted a Blendtec blender – I see them at trade shows all the time, and could stand and watch their presentations for hours!
Tweeted here: http://ow.ly/eUFBt
Thanks for the chance to win!
Tweeted it out!
I would tell myself, “Be brave, girly! God is bigger than you think! And He is able to do more than we could ever dream! And trust your intuition about things… it’s usually right.”
I just repinned your homemade Rolo recipe — which I need to make ASAP.
“Don’t be so nervous about meeting new people. It is highly unlikely that any of them will kidnap you and keep you in the basement.” I’ve seen too many commercials for lifetime movies, I’m afraid.
Dear my younger self:
Quit whining. Your mom may not get it, but she’ll eventually see the light when you get older. She does care about you, even if she doesn’t quite know how to show it. Keep in touch, and don’t complain when she calls you once a week to see how you’re doing. It’s a sign that she cares.
Love, me.
Life’s too short to worry about the silly stuff. Focus on your loved ones…the rest is just not as important!
To my younger self: Don’t be so obsessed with tanning – future sunspots are not worth it! ;)
I would tell my 16 year old self to love being 16 and enjoy high school!
Dear younger self,
Confidence is key! Stop worrying about what people might think or say about you. You are smart, fun, friendly and attractive. Learn to convince yourself of this deep inside, and don’t let others shake your faith in yourself.
Sincerely,
Older (and hopefully somewhat wiser) Self
Thanks Angela! Regardless of the giveaway, this was a good exercice for me to do today…
Dear younger self, you would not let others comments or expectations derail you from what you want out of life or what you think of yourself. You would love and appreciate yourself for your uniqueness and strengths.
I have pinned MANY of your recipes!
I would tell my younger self that having asthma does NOT mean you can’t run or participate in sports or ride your bike or do physical things. I would tell me to do all the running, riding and playing I wanted to because one day those very things would help tame the evil asthma. And one day these asthmatic lungs would carry us across the finish line of awesome races and accomplishments, including a full marathon.